Get a firm estimate as to what this would cost to repair from a disinterested craftsman and let that help make up your mind about the purchase. AL ============================================================== >I spent the weekend in Washington doing the survey and sea trials on "Hungry >Water", the Krogen Whaleback 48 I am buying.

I do not know the cost of the unit (he estimated about $4,000 or the Kilobite cost of usage(all of this was donnated by the company for the charity). Have any of the list members had experience with this type of unit? I do not remember this specific unit being mentioned. What impressed me was the ability to work the web, all be it slowly.

I estimate his blind spot forward to be about 30 degrees. I believe here that business interest rather than common sence rulled. I had as a guest on board my boat a person who consults with the NTSB. He is going to discuss this with the Coast Guard. We also have appropriate pictures. Bob Rapasky

On Wednesday, Coastguards pleaded with Mr Abbott to equip himself with proper sea charts, pointing out that he had cost the RNLI an estimated 30,000 for at least six rescues over the past year. According to some reports, Mr Abbott has had to be rescued nine times in the past 13 months.

Estimates seem to vary widely from 20-40 gals p.h. perhaps Detroit Diesels should be able to answer this? The other question is how to set up the manifolds.

Using the accepted estimate of .06 gal/hp/hr, the Nordhavn 40 should consume at least 1.6 gal. of fuel per hr at 6 kts and 2.6 gal. per hour at 7 kts. This is more than twice the fuel consumption that Nordhavn claims. Under adverse weather conditions fuel consumption will undoubtedly increase.

So, if boat this vintage in great condition is worth let say $160K - 50K for repairs=$110K, other repairs need to be estimated at 25% value then it is about another $25K. I would consider this only if price would be around $85K. I have not included price of your time and frustration in dealing with boat yards.

"These per minute rates are projected estimates only. The exchange rate used in converting per minute rates is for demonstration purposes.

REPLY Statistically, most of the "pulsator" companies estimate about 80% of all discarded batteries are sulfated. The remaining 20% do have real faults like yours with shorted out cells. If you can pick over the junked pile, select batteries which show some voltage as opposed to zero voltage at the terminals.

That's only a rough estimate, but it means that the last 100 miles could be covered with about 12-15 gallons of fuel, under worst case. I have tried this sort of problem in reality and made it work on one occasion which I prefer not to repeat. This was a twin screw boat, which we slowed to a crawl, turned off one engine and limped into the nearest dock.